They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40 - Michael Davis of Greenberg Traurig

Please describe two of your most substantial, recent wins in practice.
As lead counsel to Mosaic Real Estate Investors in one of the largest hotel construction loans of 2019, we completed its $460 million construction loan for the development of the Ritz-Carlton Portland in a relatively short time frame for a project of this magnitude. I negotiated the ground lease with the owners of the development site, as well as agreements and documentation regarding the mixed-use aspects of the project, including office and retail facilities, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, and branded residence condominium units.

I also recently led a significant transaction for our client East End Capital in its acquisition, joint venture, and related financing of a 15-acre industrial property in the downtown LA Arts District. East End Capital investment partners now plans on developing a studio complex on the property including 17 sound stages and 400,000 square feet of ancillary office and support space.

What is the most important lesson you learned as a first-year attorney and how does it inform your practice today?
The practice of law is fundamentally a profession based on relationships. The success one achieves as a lawyer is linked to the strength of your relationships. Your clients must know that you are always thinking about their particular needs, not just focusing on the singular legal issue they may call you about. It’s about bringing a holistic approach to everything you do and looking for ways to add value to all aspects of their operations and investments. Equally important are the relationships with your legal colleagues, both those senior and junior to you. Together you are a team, and every member must believe that you are invested in building a strong practice and their careers along with your own. I learned the importance of teamwork as an athlete, and it’s critical that my colleagues trust that I have their back and am always looking out for them. These have been the foundational principles upon which I have built my practice and how I have maintained my client and professional relationships.

How do you define success in your practice?
As a real estate partner at a large law firm, I am fortunate that when we close a significant deal for our clients, the results become evident for everyone to see. Our work frequently results in the construction or redevelopment of iconic and landmark properties and real estate assets throughout the country. It’s incredibly gratifying to visit an office tower that I worked on or stay in a hotel I helped finance. Not every lawyer can say their work is helping to build communities and foster economic development. Plus, there is the added benefit that I can show the fruits of my labor to those closest to me.

What are you most proud of as a lawyer?
I’m proudest of the success I have achieved in my career as a real estate shareholder at Greenberg Traurig and the things that I’m doing to build the firm’s Los Angeles real estate practice. We have gone from a small team with only a couple of attorneys to a rapidly expanding team with a dozen attorneys doing work for major institutional clients across the country in all asset classes. I’m showing other folks, who are younger and coming up in their careers, what kind of success is possible. I believe it’s particularly important for diverse attorneys to see someone who looks like them and has a similar background who has achieved these levels of success. I am proud to help inspire the next generation.

Who is your greatest mentor in the law and what have they taught you?
[Firm partner] Greg Fishman has had the greatest influence on my career. When I first joined Greenberg Traurig, we were understaffed, and I was quickly asked to take on significantly more responsibilities. I was taking a leading role on several, high-profile transactions as a mid-level associate. Greg’s confidence in me and his guidance helped me become the lawyer that I am today. I am proud to be the co-chair of our firm’s Los Angeles real estate practice with Greg, and I am humbled by the confidence the firm has shown in me. Greg’s mentorship is also part of the reason why I want to mentor the next generation. I never forgot those who supported me, and it is my duty to make sure I help those coming after me.

Just for fun, tell us your two favorite songs on your summer music playlist.
“Summer Nights” by Lil Rob. This is one of my all-time favorite summer jams. It’s a classic LA track and stays on the list year after year.

“Ascension (Don’t Ever Wonder)” by Maxwell. Beautiful and mellow song from an excellent artist (also because my son is named Maxwell).

Michael Davis has represented clients in hundreds of transactions totaling more than $15 billion. A former NCAA Division 1 college football player and multi-sport high school athlete, he is a member of African American Attorneys in Downtown Firms, an organization affiliated with the John M. Langston Bar Association that supports career development opportunities for African American lawyers in Los Angeles.